Fontein met buste van Bacchus after 1724

This print, made by Georg Lichtensteger, depicts a fountain with a bust of Bacchus. Although undated, we can place it in the eighteenth century based on the artist’s dates and the print’s style. The image invites us to consider the role of art in shaping social life. The fountain is not merely a functional object but an aesthetic one, adorned with a sculpture of the Roman god of wine. The print suggests the fountain’s placement at the entrance of a garden, implying that this space would have been one of leisure and pleasure, and that this private enjoyment relies on an aesthetic appreciation of art. This kind of garden, common among wealthy Europeans, reflected a desire to display one's wealth, education, and taste. We can look to other prints and garden designs of the time, and to historical accounts, to deepen our understanding of the social and institutional context of this print. In doing so, we see how art helps us to understand the values and priorities of a particular time and place.